Panasonic breaks world record for solar module efficiency

Electronics giant Panasonic has created the world’s most efficient crystalline silicon-based solar module, the company announced on Wednesday.

It represents a breakthrough that could deliver more power per square foot of photovoltaic cells than ever before.

The new module has a conversion rate of 23.8 per cent, beating the previous record of 22.8 per cent set just last week by SunPower.

Panasonic said the new record has been verified by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and the Japanese firm now holds the record in conversion efficiency for both crystalline-based silicon solar cells and modules.

Panasonic developed a ground-breaking “silicon heterojunction structure” to create the record breaking module.

The structure covers the silicon base surface with an additional silicon layer which has electrodes on the front and back to maximise the use of sunlight.

Panasonic will continue to develop the module to make it suitable for mass production.